Compliance & Regulations

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)ADA Standards that went in effect in 2012 included newly covered elements like mobility devices, service animals, facilities and reservation systems. Lodging and restaurant operators are urged to take the necessary steps to bring various elements into compliance and review existing elements that will be subject to stricter or different specifications.

Service Animals - Under the ADA, businesses and organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. Visit the ADA website for more information.

Swimming Pools and Spas - As of 2013, pool and spa accessibility under the ADA implemented a pool lift requirement. Visit the ADA website for more information.

Restaurants - Whether you're building a new restaurant, renovating a current location, or removing existing barriers to guests with disabilities, the NRA's ADA toolkit gives you all the facts on how new ADA standards could affect your restaurant. The ADA Toolkit is free to NRA members; login is required.

Reservation Systems - Hotels with online reservation systems must allow a disabled guest to book accessible rooms just as non-disabled guests, including choosing a room type and time of day available to make a reservation. The new regulations for reservations are found at 28 C.F.R. 36.302 sub (e), available on the ADA website.

Employee Retirement Savings Plan - OregonSaves, a state-run retirement program for employees of businesses who do not currently offer a retirement savings plan, officially launched in July 2017. The State requires employers to either register their company with OregonSaves or certify that their company is exempt from the program. The registration deadlines for employers are as follows:

An employer employing 100 or more employees: November 15, 2017 (audit required)

An employer employing 50 to 99 employees: May 15, 2018

An employer employing 20 to 49 employees: December 15, 2018

An employer employing 10 to 19 employees: May 15, 2019

An employer employing 5 to 9 employees: November 15, 2019

An employer employing 4 or fewer employees: May 15, 2020

Employers have an alternative to OregonSaves with ORLA's 401K Plan if they currently do not have a plan in place.

Food Waste: Prevention, Donation, and CompostingMetro’s educational initiative, Food Waste Stops With Me, was launched April 18, 2018, to help businesses reduce the amount of food they throw away. The campaign is part of a larger effort around food waste that may also include requiring some businesses to keep the food they toss out of the garbage. Metro Council is expected to vote on a proposed policy in July.

Oregon's Indoor Clean Air Act (ICAA) - Also known as the Smokefree Workplace Law, the ICAA prohibits smoking in the workplace and within 10 feet of all entrances, exits, accessibility ramps that lead to and from an entrance or exit, windows and air-intake vents. Visit Oregon.gov for more information.

Posting Requirements for Oregon Employers - Oregon employers are required by a number of state and federal agencies to display a variety of workplace notices and posters. Download from BOLI's website.